Antioch hires new boys basketball coach

Jarrett Jones is leaving a strong program in Jackson to grow roots in Nashville.

After leading Liberty Tech to a Class AA title in 2011 and a state semifinal appearance last season, Jones has been hired as Antioch’s boys basketball coach.

Jones, 26, went 62-10 in two seasons with the Crusaders. He replaces Jim Nollner, who retired in April.

“Nashville has been kind of where I plan on settling down in life,” Jones said. “I have a lot of close friends in the Nashville area who kind of pulled me in this direction. It was a very tough decision, but it was what was going to make me happy at this point.”

Antioch has suffered two straight losing seasons, but Jones believes there is a lot of potential there. The Bears made their last Class AAA tournament appearance in 2008.

“There are plenty of athletes,” Jones said. “We’re going to work hard and get better, and hopefully just compete against everybody we play against. I wouldn’t have accepted the job if I didn’t think we could perform at a high level.”

Jones was a Crockett County assistant for two seasons prior to his arrival Liberty. He played baseball at Freed-Hardeman, graduating in 2008.

Jones played basketball and baseball at Chester County, graduating in 2004. He stole over 130 career bases.